Local News
NGC Completes 100% Of Downstream Gas Contract Renewals
The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd (NGC) says it has now renewed 100% of its downstream gas contracts following the execution of a new agreement with Methanol Holdings (Trinidad) Ltd, the largest methanol producer on the Point Lisas Industrial Estate.
Tancoo, Howai Meet With Bankers
The Government has begun fresh engagement with the banking sector as officials move to strengthen collaboration on economic management, financial stability and legislative reform.
Govt Extends Landlord Registration By One Month
The Ministry of Finance has extended the deadline for mandatory registration under the Landlord Business Surcharge by one month to June 30, in a move aimed at easing pressure on taxpayers and improving compliance across the rental sector.
T&T Outlook Improves Marginally, Structural Weakness Persists
A comparison of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Staff Concluding Statement from February 10, 2026, and the Executive Board Concluding Statement issued on May 18, 2026, reveals a modest improvement in Trinidad and Tobago’s near-term macroeconomic outlook, economist Prof Roger Hosein has said.
EV Industry Offers New Path For TT Economic Diversification
President of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce Karen Yip Chuck delivered the opening remarks at the Caribbean EV & Hybrid Conference and Exhibition on May 20. In this week’s Chamber Matters column, we publish her address in full.
PriceSmart Opens US$15M Distribution Centre In T&T
PriceSmart has officially opened its new In Country Distribution Center (IDC) in Trinidad and Tobago. The 90,000-square-foot facility, located at P1 Paria Road, Phoenix Park Industrial Estate, Savonetta, represents a US$15 million investment and marks a significant milestone in the company’s global logistics strategy.
Inflation Declines In April
The Central Statistical Office (CSO) reported yesterday there has been a slight decrease in the inflation rate in April, but there was an increase in the price of food and non-alcoholic beverages last month.
Tancoo Welcomes IMF Assessment Of T&T
The Government has welcomed a positive assessment of the T&T economy from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), describing the findings as a sign of renewed international confidence in the country’s economic direction and a validation of its policy agenda.
TCL’s Revenue and Profit Rises
For the three months ending March 31, 2026, the TCL Group’s consolidated revenue closed at TT$620M, representing a 1% year‑on‑year (YoY) decrease compared to Q1 2025. This largely reflects a lower performance in the local market in Trinidad and Tobago, partially offset by stable domestic cement sales in Jamaica.
Regional News
Fujitsu Pushes AI As Growth Tool For Jamaica
Artificial intelligence could help Jamaica cut bureaucratic delays, speed disaster recovery, and expand tourism services, Fujitsu executives said during a regional technology conference in St Ann last week.
Barita Bets Big After BOJ Approval
Barita Financial Group Limited has received Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) approval to operate as a financial holding company, completing a major restructuring that positions the organisation for deeper expansion into digital banking and integrated financial services as competition intensifies across Jamaica’s financial sector.
Guyana, Barbados Eye New Investment Fund
Guyana and Barbados are moving to establish a new regional investment fund aimed at allowing ordinary citizens to invest in major development projects, as both countries prepare to officially roll out digital ID card travel from July 1.
BP Signs MoU With Venezuela For Loran Field
BP and the Venezuelan government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the exploration of natural gas in the Loran offshore area, international news agencies reported yesterday.
Guyana Exploring Mass Transit System To Complement Road Network
President Dr. Irfaan Ali has signalled a major shift in the country’s transportation strategy, stating that the government is actively examining the development of a modern mass transit system to complement the rapidly expanding road network.
Region Still Suffering From COVID Impact, Says OECD, IDB Report
Below-average labour productivity, increasing debt ratios following the COVID-19 pandemic and limited foreign direct investment have severely impacted growth in the Caribbean.
Gov’t Exploring Agro-Tourism Expansion
Agriculture Minister Floyd Green says his ministry is working with the Ministry of Tourism to explore the expansion of agro-tourism to boost visitor experience in this south-central parish.
Guyana Signs Agreement With IFC
Guyana has signed an agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) establishing the institutional framework for the operations of all World Bank Group entities in Guyana and strengthening support for private sector development, job creation, and sustained economic growth.
Tariff Battle Looms Over $350M Green Hydrogen Plant
Barbadians will be able to own nearly one-third of a $350 million hybrid renewable energy power plant that promises more stable electricity bills but not necessarily cheaper ones, Barbados TODAY can reveal exclusively.
International News
BP’s Ousted Chair Says He Was Fired Without Explanation
Former BP Plc Chairman Albert Manifold says he was fired without warning or explanation and will challenge the company’s version of events, deepening the turmoil around the UK oil major’s latest leadership change.
Amazon Invests $20 Billion In UK In 2025
Amazon invested over £15 billion ($20 billion) in Britain in 2025, keeping the e-commerce giant on track to deliver its planned £40 billion investment in the three years to the end of 2027, it said on Wednesday.
Samsung Staff Accept Wage Deal That Averts Chip Plant Strike
Samsung Electronics Co. union members voted in favor of a compensation deal that will hand chip workers an average bonus of about $340,000, staving off a strike that threatened to disrupt global chip supply.
Brent Oil Is Stressed, Not Broken, By War, Morgan Stanley Says
The growing stress in the oil market triggered by the Middle East war is showing up in huge premiums for prompt real-world barrels, with the wider Brent complex working as it should, according to Morgan Stanley.
Stocks Drop And Oil Climbs Before Iran Deadline
Stocks fell and oil advanced in the countdown to US President Donald Trump’s Tuesday evening deadline for Iran to agree to a ceasefire or face escalation.
Adobe Shares Drop After CEO Exit Adds To AI-Disruption Concerns
Adobe’s shares plunged 9% in premarket trading on Friday after the Photoshop maker said CEO Shantanu Narayen would step down after 18 years at the helm, unsettling investors already wary of AI-driven disruptions to the design software market.
Nvidia To Focus On Competition-Beating AI Advances At Megaconference
When Jensen Huang strides onto the stage of a packed hockey arena to kick off Nvidia’s (NVDA) annual developer conference on Monday, he is likely to reveal products and partnerships geared toward keeping the AI chipmaker atop a growing array of competitors.
Apple Cuts China Fees In Big Concession To Beijing And Tencent
Apple Inc. is lowering the fees it collects from app developers in China, a major concession in a hugely lucrative market where the company faced the risk of antitrust intervention by local regulators.
Gold Heads For Weekly Drop As Mideast War Keeps Oil Prices High
Gold (GC=F) steadied on Friday, but headed for a second weekly decline as the war in the Middle East kept oil near $100 a barrel, underpinning global inflationary pressures.
Reports
US Rate Watch – APR 2026
Offshore Series Factsheets – Q1 2026
Pelagic Series Factsheets – Q1 2026
Portfolio Snapshot Q1 2026
Local Market Outlook – Q1 2026
March 2026 -Earnings Update
Economic Outlook- FEB2026
The global economy is expected to remain resilient, with the IMF projecting global GDP growth at 3.3%. Expansion is expected to be supported by technology-related investment and easing financial conditions. Disinflation is ongoing across many economies, though progress towards central bank targets remain uneven. Trade and investment may also show modest improvements, if policy uncertainty declines. However, downside risks remain, with a potential re-escalation of tariffs pressures, rising geopolitical tensions —particularly as U.S.–Iran relations worsen, increasing the likelihood of energy-market and shipping disruptions—and weaker-than-expected productivity posing threats to the outlook. Nonetheless, some upside potential remains if conditions stabilize. We will continue to monitor global developments and adjust as conditions evolve.
Earnings Update – FEB 2026
February earnings were mixed, though results were broadly resilient across listed companies. Conglomerates and trading companies posted generally solid results, with Massy Holdings (MASSY) starting its financial year with higher revenue and profit, supported by strength across its diversified portfolios. A.S. Bryden & Sons Holdings (ASBH) also delivered revenue growth, largely driven by contributions from recent acquisitions. Agostini Limited (AGL), on the other hand, reported modest revenue growth alongside slightly lower profitability due to pressures in the Trinidad and Tobago market.
US Rate Watch JAN 2026
On Jan 28, 2026, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3.50% – 3.75%. This decision was in line with expectations and was supported by steady growth, signs of stabilization in the unemployment rate, and persistent inflation.